I think it's strip piecing anyway. You take a strip of fabric that's let's say 4 x 72 inches long. You then sew on strips that are at least 4 inches long but however wide you want onto the strips. Then you turn and sew until all pieces are applied on the one strip. Is anyone familiar with this technique?? If so, what type of fabric would the 7 x 72 inch strip be made of??

Any help would be great.

Melissa

Have never done one, but will eventually, However you can't go wrong with cotton, And whats wrong with exploring? Great things develope that way.

I tried searching the internet for an answer to your question, but did not find anything like you described.
There are techniques known as "strip piecing" and I believe Kay Wood was one who taught it, but it was for fast assembly. Sewing strips side by side and then cutting them in various widths....similar to the way an Irish Chain block is made. If I can find more information, I will send it. I am curious about this as well. Thanks for bring up the subject. June

Are you talking about string quilts? I don't quite understand but that is what it sounds like. Also I have never heard of a stip being that long, usually 42-44: long. But then I am not an experienced anything so what do I know ha ha.

Rita

In order to make a 72 inch strip you would need to buy 2 yards.....36 X 2 = 72 inches. You would cut your strips from the length of the fabric (such as you would for sashing) ....not across the width.

Most cotton and cotton blend fabrics are suitable for quilting. Some use only 100% cotton. I am using up things I have in my stash and have used a lot of Poly/cotton blends to make quilts for charity.

Hi Melissa
What you are talking about is a form of string piecing. You cut what you call foundation strips 4X72. These can either be from paper (such as freezer paper) which is torn away. If you prefer to use fabric muslin is good. Hope this helps

I am a older quilter Yes I use strips it so mush faster than cuting one at time I made qults when you had to cut with tempjes but when they come out with roder cuter it cut time in half and so mush easer on hands NEVA

Elenor Burns does strip piecing on her show(s) and in her books. I like her work!

Debbie

What you are describing is what I call string piecing. It is an excellent way to use up all your scraps. I never heard of using a 72" strip. I have always done it with a 6" or 7" square. You can also sew the strings on the diagonal which makes it interesting and fun when it's time to sew the squares together. Check out www.Quiltville.com. There are some ideas there for string quilting.

judyjo

Even I learned something from this question. Thanks to all who added their expertise.

This is a good place to learn. June

I think what you are looking for is called sew and flip. This is also in the
book "Quilts of the Southwest " by J. Michelle Watts. The technique is described in her "Latilla" quilts.

Take a piece of muslin for your backing fabric. Iron it as any fabric after washing and drying to shrink it. Sew the end piece of your strip fabric right side up. Next place the next piece right side down on top of the first piece, lining up the edges. Sew your 1/4 inch (or whatever you want the overlap to be)in place. Flip it over and iron. Add your next piece good side down, sew the 1/4 inch overlap, flip and iron.

I plan on doing this but sewing the strips at an angle. And yes, I am planning on something in the region of 36 or 72 inches.

tim in san jose

Okay....wow so many replies. I have made these types of quilts before, but it was as a member of a group and I couldn't remember how to do it. The "foundation piece" (thank you to the member who gave me that name) is sewn whatever length you want. So I'll probably end up using strips that are 72 inches long, but vary in width of 4 or 6 inches. Sew and Flip is exactly what it is.

Thank you all so much!!!

Melissa